Ideas on Incorporating Chocolate into the Holiday Season

Holiday entertaining season is rushing upon us this year! No matter how organized we want to be, there is always that last minute rush. At the #LindtTheSeason event, I was able to learn a few awesome ideas on how we can use Lindt chocolate to decorate our home, use it as gifts, and incorporate it into our holiday cooking and baking.

Ghirardelli's Holiday Impressions Squares

Ghirardelli's Holiday Impressions Squares are delicious, beautifully detailed Limited Edition Premium Chocolates that everyone in the family will enjoy. The bag of chocolates has seasonal shapes; Snowman, Santa and Christmas tree printed with decadent white chocolate in the middle of a square shaped premium milk chocolate. 

Kinder® Canada's Initiative To Bring Joy During This Season

Kinder® has partnered with Children’s Miracle Network for the “A Joy To Share” program. This is one of the ways Kinder® is helping to bring joy to families this holiday season. We as parents can take action and involve our children to think of others and help out.

Making Magic Carpets For An Aladdin and Jasmine Themed Party

My daughter is a Disney princess fan and my son a Marvel Heroes fan, so we are very excited about the new Kinder partnership with Disney princess and Marvel Heroes toys. Two in three eggs within the specially marked Disney princess or Marvel Heroes Kinder surprise packages will have their favourite character. Browse and vote for your favourite toys on Kinder Facebook.

Celebrating the Unique Pink Kinder® Surprise®

Every child is unique and so are mine :) I love the way my children brighten up my mood when I feel tired. I love the bear hugs and kisses I get from them. I find their jokes funny. I love the way they say "mom your food is the yummiest," makes me feel like the best :) 

I love how only my children can make me feel this way... this makes them unique and I thank God for giving me this blessing. They will always be unique to me. I think you feel the same with your little ones no matter how old they get right :)

In celebration and recognition of the uniqueness of every child, Kinder Canada will be having a contest. Kinder Canada has launched their new Kinder® Surprise® Pink that has over 30 playful toys. My daughter loves getting the surprise accessories inside these pink eggs like the rings and bracelets. Check out their wonderful collection and vote for your favourite Kinder Toy. 

Giveaway:
Every Kinder friend who LIKE them on Facebook and share about what makes their children unique on the Kinder Canada Facebook will be entered to win 1 of 3, $250 VISA gift cards. They will be drawing one winner each week for three weeks. So go ahead and share your story from May 29 to June 19.

Disclosure: I am part of Kinder mom program and receive special perks for being part. All rights reserved on written content Createwithmom © 2011 - 2013. Please Ask First

Cookies to celebrate spring

We made these cookies to celebrate the arrival of spring. These soft, delicious cookies would be wonderful to take on our upcoming trips to the park.

Crocus

These cookies are also easy enough for little ones to help make and give as gifts to grandma, mom and loved ones. Adding Callebaut Crispearls* to the cookies give it a slight crunch and adds colour. Callebaut Crispearls* are tiny toasted biscuit kernel coated with chocolate.

Learning All About Chocolates from Bonnie Gordon College

Update: Bonnie Gordon College is now closed

I recently attended a media event at Bonnie Gordon College and learned a lot about chocolates.  After the event, I think I understand the difference of the wide range of chocolates that are available.  The College uses the exquisite Cacao Barry chocolate couvertures, which has a minimum of 31% cocoa butter that makes it to be higher quality product. 

Learning about Cacao Barry definitely makes us talk about chocolates in a whole new way. The location of the cocoa plantation, how the beans are chosen and the climatic conditions results in the different variation of chocolates and taste.

For example:

• Alto el sol from Peru is an aromatic, fruity and acidic chocolate.
• Oropucce from Trinidad has a strong cocoa flavour, slight fruity, flowery and winy taste.
• Madirofolo from Madagascar has a balanced, fruity, acidic and slight bitter finish.
• The chocolate from Tanzania is my favourite as it is subtle, spicy, fruity and acidulous taste. This chocolate has 75% cocoa in it.
• Chocolates from Ghana have 40.5% cocoa with a sweet milk flavour.

Cacao Barry has existed since 1842, and they cultivate cocoa beans in limited quantities from different countries without mixing them.  Cacao Barry offers Kosher certified, rare and refined flavours of cocoa through their chocolates.  Their chocolates would be fabulous in all chocolate desserts i.e. pralines, moulding, coating, pastry, biscuits, mousse, decorating, sauce, ice cream and more.  

The higher quantity of cocoa butter in the chocolates makes it fabulous to melt, mould and dip to create a beautiful thin shell that looks neat.  The non-couverture chocolates like chocolate chips keep their shape when baked and not very good to melt or work with. We can find Cacao Barry products sold at Vanilla Food, Golda's Kitchen, Baker Haven and in many other locations.

  

We were shown three different methods of tempering chocolates by the instructors at Bonnie Gordon College. Tempering the chocolate is important so it will set well when we work with it.  Check the mini video I took when the instructor at Bonnie Gordon College demonstrated this cool method of tempering chocolates.

Tempering chocolates in the microwave is an easier method of tempering by gently melting the chocolates in the microwave till it reaches 32C by placing it for 1 minute, 

then another 1 minute, 

then 30 seconds 

and in 10 seconds segments.  

We have to mix it after removing from the microwave each time.

Here is the link to the Chocolate Bonbons (alcohol free) recipe I learned at Bonnie Gordon College.  If you want to learn about a variety of ways to temper chocolates and to make hand dipped truffles and bonbons, Bonnie Gordon College will be offering day classes on March 23rd and 24th.

Bonnie Gordon College is run by Bonnie Gordon, an internationally respected cake designer.  Bonnie's approach to cakes are as a form of art and her curriculum emphasizes artisanal education that encourages students to try their own creativity.  This approach attracts many students and has created successful businesses such as We bake in heels and Cupcake Girl who started their Cake design education from Bonnie.  Bonnie in her program encourages and emphasizes the use of best, high quality and natural products.  The college offers a variety of programs such as

• The Confectionary Diploma Programme is a 16 week program that is offered throughout the year in a full time basis so students can learn the entire cake design process from scratch.  

• The Designer Cakes Certificate Programme is a full time hands on class that explores all the skills and techniques needed to create custom designed cakes.

• Bakery Essentials Certificate Programme is offered full and part time to teach baking and pastry art i.e. cakes, cupcakes, cookies, breads, quick breads, filling and ganaches.
• They also have a variety of other classes for hobbyists and home bakers.

 

670 Caledonia Road
Unit 100 M6E4V9
Toronto, Ontario
416-440-0330

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Nestlè Skinny Cow Chocolate

Nestlè has launched Skinny Cow chocolate for the very first time in Canada with four new chocolate snacks that chocolate enthusiasts will enjoy.  These chocolates have 120 calories and the Crisp bars are sold as single-serve bars (starting at $0.99) and multipacks (starting at $3.79)

Heavenly Crisp Peanut Butter

Delicate wafers layered with nutty peanut butter crème and covered in a milk chocolatey coating.  This was our favourite.

 

Heavenly Crisp Milk Chocolate

We enjoyed the delicate wafers layered with delicious chocolate crème that is covered in a milk chocolate coating. 

Heavenly Crisp Hazelnut

Wafers layered with luscious hazelnut crème covered in a milk chocolatey coating for those who like the taste of hazelnut.

Dreamy Clusters Milk Chocolate

Bite-sized chewy clusters of creamy caramel and crispy pieces, covered in milk chocolate.  Sold as multipacks (starting at $3.79)

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Girls will be girls and Boys will be boys with these Kinder Surprise Toys

Kinder® Surprise® limited edition Barbie™ and Hot Wheels™ packages have thrilled both my son and daughter.  They were super excited to see a package of Kinder eggs made especially for each of them.

Cool stamp inside Kinder® Surprise® limited edition Barbie™  

My daughter couldn't be happier that the eggs were wrapped in pink, as she thought it was marked just for her so she can tell it apart from the ones her brother has :)  It is funny how girls get attached to pink and all things Barbie and princess related.  
After seeing this Barbie signature stamp, even I wanted to open up all the eggs that were wrapped in pink just to see the Barbie toys.  I have asked permission from my daughter to use this cool stamp :)

My son was super excited that the Hot Wheels pack of Kinder® Surprise® contains his favourite super cute racing cars.  He has already opened a few but hasn't got what he is hoping for yet!  If I hadn't put the rule about one egg per day ;) I am sure he would have opened all the eggs in one day.

It is funny how girls will be girls and boys will be boys.  From a young age when I watch my children play I see how they have automatically learned to differentiate boys and girls toys.  Even their approach of handling and playing with the toys are different and interesting.

Due to the awaiting surprise and cool toys inside Kinder, I have noticed my children are willing to share the chocolate with us just so they can open as many Kinder chocolates as possible.  I think they love Kinder more for the purpose of having a collection of Kinder toys, which I think will make good memories as they grow up :)

Contest:
To launch these cool Kinder® Surprise® Barbie™ and Hot Wheels™packs, Kinder® Canada will be giving away 40 prize packs in their Facebook starting on January 10th for 4 weeks.
Simply become a fan of Kinder® Canada and follow the instructions on their Facebook.   

Disclosure: I'm part of the Kinder Mom program and receive special perks as part of my affiliation.  All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2011 - 2013. Please Ask First

Kinder® A Joy To Share

Kinder®’s "A Joy To Share" program supports the Children's Miracle Network who helps save and improve lives of children by raising funds for children's hospitals since 1983.
Check their Facebook page to see how many families this program as helped.  Every time we share the video stories of the families Kinder will donate $1 up to $5000 to the Children's Miracle Network.

Although we give and share throughout the year, I find as the holiday season approaches we give and share more...

• We share gifts within our family and friends
• Giveaway things that we no longer use such as clothes, appliances and other goods that are in good condition to Goodwill and other charities
• Donate food to those in need through food banks in our community
• We collect and contribute non-perishable items to our children's school fundraisers for the holiday season, this makes our children happy and feel good to see their gifts being sent to those in need
• Help organizations and NGOs when they are doing fundraisers such as collecting pennies to build wells in developing countries
• Buying gifts that will help people in developing countries such as through World Vision

Just in time for the holidays Kinder® has dressed up their eggs and has packed the kinder eggs in a tree shape box, a train with 6 kinder eggs and giant kinder egg.  These eggs have the new 2013 collection of Kinder® toys, which my children like as the toys are cute and creative.
They also have packages of mini eggs that has a delicious milky hazelnut centre.  This package of kinder mini eggs are not nut free. 

Giveaway

Kinder® Canada will be giving away 7500 coupons for their Facebook community from November 26th for 10 weekdays so you can taste their new Kinder® Mini eggs for free.  They will give out 750 coupons each day at 12 pm ET.     

Disclosure: I am part of the Kinder mom program and receive special perks for being part. All opinion and rights reserved on written content and mentioned photographs Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

Nestlé Assorted snack size bars

Food allergies are a common problem in Canada.  This is a dilemma for all parents, especially when our children ask us to take chocolates to school so they can share with their friends during activity days especially in October.  

Nestlé’s Assorted snack size bars is a solution because this iconic red box has an assorted variety of peanut-free treats made in a peanut free facility.  The box is filled with Kit Kat, Aero, Smarties and Coffee Crisps, so there is a variety for everyone to choose from.  These are some of our favourite chocolates :) 

Make a pledge to give Nestlé’s Assorted snack size bars.  All individual pledges will be entered into a contest to win a supply of up to 50 boxes, a value of $800 worth Nestlé Assorted snack size bars.

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Kinder® Surprise® Giveaway

We love Kinder chocolate and are excited to see the 2013 collection of Kinder toys.  Kinder has created lots of memorable moments of joy and continue to do so in our family.  It is a fabulous chocolate and treat for both children and adults :)
The Soft Tummies, Combo cars, Dino Age series and all the other cute toys will be loved by everyone in the family.  The fantastic collection of Kinder toys are centred around adventure, exploration, artistic development and active lifestyle.

I like giving Kinder chocolates to my children as a reward and sometimes when we feel like having something sweet.  Kinder chocolates are made using high quality cocoa and real sugar in peanut and gluten free facilities.  

Kinder® Canada is giving away 10,000 Kinder Surprise Eggs on their Facebook to celebrate the launch of the 2013 Toy Collection.  Grab your free Kinder Egg by visiting their Facebook.

Disclosure: I'm part of the Kinder Mom program and receive special perks as part of my affiliation.  All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

Chocomania from Body shop

Chocomania is a luxurious line of products. They have Chocomania body scrub, soap, shower cream, body butter, lotion and lip butter.

This will leave your skin smooth smelling like chocolates, however the smell is not overpowering. I prefer if there were no smell, but it didn't bother others at home. The skin does feel soft after using and not greasy, which is good for winter.

All the ingredients used to make Chocomania are from Fair trade products. It not only feels good from the outside but also the inside :) It is available at Body shop stores and online.

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Cupcake flowers and nutella cupcake

To make these fun cupcake flowers you will need...

different size coloured cupcake liners *

paper cut for leaves in an oval shape

paper cut for stems in a rectangle shape

marker

glue

scissors

* If you only have white cupcake liners you can decorate and colour it.

Let the children stick the leaves anyway they like on the stem. Attach the cupcake liners onto the top of the stem. They can decorate and draw to put details with markers.

Here is a recipe to make Nutella cupcakes in 10 minutes with only 4 ingredients

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Celebrate treasured memories

My KINDER Moments has a fabulous creative application on their Facebook page.

This application is easy to work with and it adds fun to the pictures. There are many choices of frames i.e. birthday, special holidays, vacations, haircut, hockey etc... Each time a mom makes a frame they will automatically be entered to the monthly promotion. This month it is a $500 cash card :)

The application is on the right hand side of the Facebook page. Click My KINDER Moments, then fill the simple form. Click an image from the computer or Facebook album. The image you choose can be moved around the frame to fit the way you like. Once the picture is framed you can share this special picture with your family and friends.

Here is a glimpse...

Have fun framing your special moments.

Disclosure: As a part of the Kinder® Mom program I receive compensation. All opinion and written content are my own. Please Ask First

Dinner and Kinder®

Summer is ending and children have gone back to school. For us, this means the time we have for fun and play as a family is limited. So it is important for us to plan and take every opportunity to have fun.

Banana cake

This recipe is from here. It is easy to make and delicious.

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup butter or margarine

3 eggs

1 cup ripe bananas

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 tbsp cinnamon ground

1 3/4 cup flour

2 tbsp fudge melts, chocolate pieces or chocolate chips

Beat butter and sugar, then add eggs and beat. Add the mashed bananas and mix. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon into the wet ingredients.

Add the chocolate chips and mix till all the ingredients are combined.

Put the mixture in to greased pan or muffin tins. Bake at 375F for 20 to 30 minutes depends on the type of pan used. Test with a skewer if it comes out clean it is done.
Baking time would be less if baked in muffin trays or a pyrex rectangle dish compared to a loaf pan.

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